Humanitarian Action in Conflict: Implementing a Political EconomyApproach

This HPG Briefing Paper examines how political economy analysis can contribute to humanitarian programming in situations of conflict and political instability. Political economy analysis is concerned with the changing power relationships in society and the processes associated with conflict and vulnerability.  Such an analysis enables humanitarian agencies to design appropriate and principled responses for conflict-affected populations. Much of what agencies need to know about conflict, vulnerability and power can be found from an examination of livelihood dynamics at the local level.